Posts by Kenny Smith
TV documentary will mark 150 years of Mackintosh
A new documentary marking the 150th anniversary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s birth will show how he was never appreciated in Scotland during his lifetime. The great architect’s legacy features at the heart of the new BBC Two Scotland programme, in which celebrated artist and fellow Glaswegian, Lachlan Goudie, a great lover of Mackintosh and aficionado…
Read MoreA little taste of dessert heaven with leftovers
A foodie nirvana is taking place within the Ideal Home Show Scotland – and this year is set to be even bigger and better than ever before. Returning to the SEC, Glasgow from 31 May-3 June is the Eat & Drink Festival. Ideal for all foodies, the festival will tempt the taste buds and showcase…
Read MoreCountryside Alliance hits back at claims over lead
The Countryside Alliance has hit back at claims which attacked the use of lead ammunition. The Lead Ammunition Group says that the numbers of common pochard, a duck species at risk of global extinction, have fallen substantially over the past 30 years, and this decline can be partly attributed to the fact that they eat…
Read MorePrestigious award nomination for Scottish Opera
Scottish Opera’s production of Debussy’s Pelléas and Mélisande is in the running for a prestigious cultural award. They haves been nominated for The South Bank Sky Arts Award for Opera, to the delight of the company. Sir David McVicar made a welcome return to Scottish Opera to direct Claude Debussy’s iconic opera for the first…
Read MoreMountains, waterways and history in Annecy
Richard Bath spent an enjoyable few days in Annecy. What is it, and where is it? Annecy is a beautiful medieval French city set against a backdrop of towering mountains, criss-crossed by waterways and on the shores of the crystal clear waters of Lake Annecy. The superbly compact little town’s position means it has various…
Read MoreModern art is all set to go under the hammer
Two works by a 20th century Scots artist are to go under the hammer in London next month. William Scott was among the most internationally celebrated British painters of the 20th century, having been born in Greenock in 1913. Born the son of a sign-painter and one of 11 children, the ideas of austerity from…
Read MoreTop tips to make your garden feline friendly
Scottish cat lovers have been given some top tips to ensure their moggies make the most of their gardens this summer. With the growing season around the corner, Cats Protection has compiled its top tips to help Scottish cat lovers create the perfect feline-friendly garden. The charity, which will be attending this year’s Gardening Scotland…
Read MoreShort film festival is coming to Inverness
Short films are to be celebrated at this year’s prestigious XpoNorth event. Scotland’s leading creative industries festival, XpoNorth, invited filmmakers from the Highlands and Islands and beyond, to submit short films of any genre and resulted in over 2000 submissions hailing from the Outer Hebrides to Beverly Hills. Over 50 films will screen during the…
Read MoreThe joy of six with Hò-rò’s new album Hex
Released last Friday, HEX is the eagerly awaited second album by Hò-rò who boldly promise a very unique sound drawing inspiration from their, now six, individual musical approaches. As is my habit prior to reviewing albums, I listened to the band’s previous offering simply entitled Hò-rò, as a reminder of what had gone before. The…
Read MoreThousands enjoyed a fantastic spectacle in tartan
Over 4000 visitors headed to Blair Castle in Pitlochry for the Atholl Gathering weekend. A key date in the diary for locals and visitors alike, attendees were able to see The Atholl Highlanders’ Parade on Saturday, before enjoying the festivities at the Highland Games on Sunday. Europe’s last remaining private army, the Atholl Highlanders gathered…
Read More